Choosing The Right Clasp For You: A How-To Guide ✨
Hello Dear Readers!
Today is all about CLASPS! Those fiddly things that can make the difference between taking your jewelry off at the end of the night-- or spending hours scanning the floor in hopes of finding the lost trinket. Different types of clasps work differently, and they work differently for different people. Let this article guide you through selecting a custom clasp for your copper chain-- the right choice will make all the difference!
Lobster Clasps - The Most Secure
If you're an avid jewelry wearer, you're likely to be familiar with a lobster clasp. Lobster clasps have the highest security of our clasp options. The spring-loaded lever mechanism ensures that the claw is a closed loop-- meaning that unless something catastrophic happens, your chain will safely jangle around but not come loose. Lobster clasps are great for dancing, running, or any high-movement activity. Any time you might need a little extra security, look to the lobster clasp!
The drawback to lobster clasps is their purity. We use brass lobsters plated in copper for strength. Brass is a stronger, more durable metal and lends longevity to our pure copper pieces. Durable? Yes! However, if you are looking for a pure copper piece of jewelry for spiritual or health reasons, you may look to the Hook & Eye clasp.
Hook & Eye Clasp - The Purest
The Hook and Eye clasp is an ancient technology. The hook and eye was used by ancient Egyptians to fasten necklaces and bracelets, often made of soft metals like gold or copper. It's a simple mechanism-- a loop of copper wire is fashioned into a hook, which slides through a ring of copper to hang around your neck or your wrist.
These clasps are pure copper, no need to monkey around with other metals. You may be wondering-- if copper is such a soft metal, how can these clasps possibly be secure? The answer is that jewelers over thousands of years have perfected a technique that we use on every order: it's called Work Hardening. As jewelers, we know that metal starts out very soft and malleable, but with more hammering and working, it becomes much stiffer. That's why every hook and eye clasp is hammered by hand-- each delicate blow with the hammer hardens the metal until it's very difficult to bend with just a tug. Personally, I enjoy the way these clasps look-- ancient & mystical, with a handmade touch.
The drawback to these types of clasps is that they don't stand up very well to jostling. If you are planning on running, jumping, tumbling, roller-coaster-ing, etc., there is a chance that the hook can slip out of the eye and your chain may go tumbling to the ground.
Magnetic Clasps - The Easiest
Magnetic clasps are our newest clasp option, and the Elves and I are so excited to introduce them to you! Magnetic clasps have a ton of benefits. They are incredibly easy to put on and take off-- making them a perfect choice if you have achy fingers, live alone, or are as clumsy as we are. They have a satisfying 'click' to them that really makes you feel ready to take on the world.
Magnetic clasps have similar issues as the Hook & Eye-- not the best choice for high-energy activities. Although the magnets are very strong, a jerk on the dance floor would be cause for concern. As for purity, the shell of the magnetic clasp is solid brass-- plated with real rose gold for a beautifully coppery finish.
Sister Hook Clasps - The Best of Both Worlds
A sister hook clasp is very secure clasp consisting of a pair of interlocking hooks, where one hook secures the other. The name symbolizes unity and security, and it was historically used in Victorian jewelry to connect chains and fobs, allowing for a dependable and accident-proof closure.
To copper fiends like us though, they represent the best option for those of us that like both purity and security! Our sister hooks are pure copper, hardened in the process of production and ready to get your energy flowing! Sister hooks are a good choice if you’re looking to have the best of both worlds!
To Fasten it up--
So you can see, there are many options to choose from! The right choice for you will depend on your lifestyle & preferences. What's your favorite? Let us know, we'd love to hear from you! My personal favorite perk of any type of clasp is that they can be joined with other bracelets and necklaces with magnetic clasps-- so you can mix & match a new version of your chains together!
Thank you so much for reading! The Celtic Copper Team is truly grateful for all your support. Tune in next time for more copper love!
